Space for People - Making the disability housing debate mainstream
Cartref: August/September 2006
Paul Lindoewood is the General Manager at Space for People which is a project set up to overcome the problems experienced by disabled people when working with the housing sector. Here Paul outlines the background to the project, what its aims are, and some of its achievements to date.
Those of us working in the area of “special needs” or “disability" housing will be aware of the frustrations of this sector. Essentially we know that the supply of accessible housing is inadequate, because when someone comes to us asking for accommodation with a level front door threshold, or shower entrance, invariably we have nothing to show them. The reverse scenario is even more frustrating (i.e. when we have a property to let with feature of interest to disabled people, but we can't find anyone to go in it). The disabled community, which research shows is one in six of the Welsh population, often ends up being the proverbial square peg trying to fit into the round hole. Additionally we are facing a numerical and percentage increase in the number of older people in Wales. This will logically increase the numbers of people experiencing impairments and limiting their ability to use the regular housing stock.
Through Disability Wales working alongside Charter Housing Association, the 'Space for People' project has been developed to overcome these problems. Currently operating in Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Newport Council areas, the project has plans to cover the South-East Wales region. Partner organisations include Local Government Councils, HAs and disability organisations. The project will work with individuals experiencing different types of disabilities across all tenures, with three strategies guiding the work of Space for People:
1. To act as a signposting, advice and advocacy service to individual disabled people wanting to improve their housing situation
2. To provide a consultancy service to the housing sector, assisting them to improve their services to disabled people
3. To assist the disabled community, through its representative organisations, to become involved in the development, planning and delivery of housing services in their area.
Presently based within Charter HA, Space for People is seeking to develop an autonomous future, eventually becoming an independent organisation; run by disabled people, for disabled people. It wishes to develop a disabled community that can advocate with knowledge on housing issues, alongside a housing sector that is able and willing to listen.
Although the organisation is still very young, it is already involved in three initiatives:
1. The development of a Disabled Person's Housing Register – holding info on purpose build or adapted properties across all tenures. A second list of disabled people looking for suitable accommodation will be kept, so that when a property becomes available, it can be matched to people looking for it.
2. Development of a series of Advice Centres. These are to be monthly surgeries where disabled people can come and discuss their housing problems with the Housing Advisor.
3. Influencing the Design on New Build Projects. Charter HA has a small number of new build projects about to start development. These are clear opportunities to influence house designs of tomorrow. Charter is inviting Space for People, and its partner organisations, to be involved in a consultation regarding the design standards to be used. They want to develop a “Life Time Home +” agenda.
One of the major problems regarding disabled people and housing is that the accessibility features being considered are very often regarded as “special”. One of the questions that Space for People needs to highlight, and start searching to answer, is how to make the disability housing debate mainstream. Keep track of our progress, and if you want further information, contact me on 01633 678559, or email dphs@charterhousing.co.uk.
Paul Lindoewood
General Manager, Space for People
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